§ 61. Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about manpower and police recruiting in the Metropolitan police area.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe strength of the Metropolitan police on 18 January was 27,488; the highest ever. This is about 250 short of establishment. Recruitment is buoyant, although it continues to be offset to a great extent by wastage. Intakes of about 200 recruits take place every five weeks at the Hendon training school and there will be an additional intake at the Wanstead centre in the spring. The Metropolitan police have also taken special initiatives to encourage recruits from the ethnic minorities.